AUM News
Kayla Hale was the first signing by the Warhawks for the 2013 season.
Kayla Hale was the first signing by the Warhawks for the 2013 season.
Softball - Wed. Jan. 18, 2012
MONTGOMERY, Ala. ---- The Auburn University at Montgomery softball team and head coach Chris Steiner-Wilcoxson have announced the signing of local pitcher Kayla Hale to scholarship papers for the 2013 season.

Hale joins the Warhawks from Trinity Presbyterian High School, where she has been a member of the Wildcats' varsity softball squad since the eighth grade.

"Kayla came to one of our camps as a freshman in high school and immediately connected with our program," Steiner-Wilcoxson said. "We have had an opportunity to watch her grow and mature as a player and are very excited that she chose to stay in Montgomery and play at AUM. She has all the tools to excel on the field and will also succeed in the classroom."

Hale has been a dual-threat player for head coach Gennie Honel and the Wildcats throughout her career. During the past three seasons, she has posted a .327 batting average, hitting nine home runs, 13 doubles and driving in 54 runs. She has also scored 28 runs, walked 48 times and sports a .529 slugging percentage. In the circle, she has recorded 34 victories and posted 456 strikeouts.

For her accomplishments, Hale has been named an honorable mention all-state performer and all-metro selection each of the past two seasons. She was also voted the Area Tournament Most Valuable Player as a junior, as well as the Wildcats' Most Improved Player as a freshman and sophomore. Last season, she was a member of the Dean's List and earned the Barnabas Award, which is presented to the team's most encouraging player.

In addition to individual accolades, Hale has also helped the Wildcats to team success, as Trinity captured the area championship in 2009 and 2011, while finishing as runners-up in 2010. She also plays travel ball for the Huntsville Sparks.

The daughter of Mike and Kane Hale, she is currently undecided on what she plans to major in at AUM.

"I choose AUM because I wanted to play softball somewhere close to home," Hale said. "When I went for my visit, I loved the campus and the coaches. I have already made several friends there and I am so excited to be blessed with this opportunity."